The Bluest Eye

Being a first or second grader in the 1950s or 1960s, one might probably remember the reading primer Fun with Dick and Jane an idealized family in an idealized neighborhood: two parents, two children, the dog Spot, and a house with a white picket fence. The Bluest Eye illustrates just how dangerous this idealized image could be in one Lorain, Ohio neighborhood, and what can happen to a black child who cannot stop measuring herself against standards of whiteness. The Bluest Eye is the story of three African American girls, Pecola Breedlove and two sisters, Claudia and Frieda McTeer, whose lives are thrust together by circumstances that would be peculiar if not so common in the late 1940s. The real-life experience that led Morrison to write the novel was a conversation with a peer from her childhood who said that she had lost faith in God because, after two years of praying for blue eyes, her wish had not been granted. In writing the book, Morrison hoped to fill a void in Western literature: to reflect the strong, proud world from which she and other African Americans emerged. In so doing, she gave voice to black girls whose self-images are negatively influenced by the larger society.

This story depicts innocence and madness, stereotypes and unconventional families. All are heavy themes of the story, but these are many themes adolescents can relate to. The book is difficult to follow, yet easily ignites the readers'emotions. Morrison has laid before the readers honest descriptions of every object or event, which are truly poetic and thought provoking.

Documentaries

A documentary film is a non-fiction film that describes a situation, condition, or event that occurred, or is occurring. It often includes opinion, and can be made with the explicit intention of convincing or persuading the audience of a particular viewpoint or position on the situation being documented. A documentary usually (but not always) includes interviews with experts, or with ordinary people affected by the event or situation, or both. It generally does not include actors, though it may also include re-enactments, especially if the event or situation being documented is historic. For example, a documentary about the assassination of Caesar might include segments of actors dressed as Brutus, Cassius, Cinna and the other conspirators, and may even include a re-enactment of Caesar's death.
The simple definition of documentary is “nonfiction film.” In fact, many filmmakers and film festivals prefer to use that phrase to better describe the wide range of films commonly grouped under the documentary umbrella.
Documentaries may also be made in a balanced manner; presenting arguments on both sides of an issue, almost in a debate format, which allows the audience to review issues on both sides of a controversy and make up their own minds.

America: land of the free, home of the brave?

Kudos should go to the casting of this episode. They managed to find the stereotypical illegal alien family that proponents of illegal aliens wish to conjure when they discuss the issue. There’s the dad, a hard working day laborer. You’ve got the stay at home loving mom, who collects cans on the side to just make a living. You’ve got two kids who were born in America and are therefore American citizens. You also have the eldest 3 kids who originally crossed the border with their parents illegally. One daughter has a 3.8 grade point average and applies to Princeton. One who seems to be ignored, probably because she has bad grades or has something they didn't want to focus on. Finally, there is an older son that they didn't say much about. The status of these people fits the definition of Lipmann’s to a tee, and creator Morgan Spurlock did a good job in displaying this.
Prior to Frank moving in they show a discussion between the mother and eldest daughter. The mother not wanting a “blue eyed gringo” to be the one coming, but her eldest daughter pointing out that if he is Hispanic it would be even worse because he would be against his own race of people. The mother agrees that having a Hispanic would be even worse after she thinks about it for a second. In my opinion it would be so much easier to point out how hateful he is if he was a blue eyed, blond Nazi racist. Regardless of all that, Frank brings his stuff and moves in. The show makes sure to include the statement that he'd like to call "INS" within the first 30 seconds.
Everything is cordial initially until there's a discussion between Frank and the eldest daughter. They argue over illegal status with the eldest daughter falling back on the “America is a nation of immigrants” and “we're just here for a better life” stance. Frank's argument is “illegal is illegal”. They don't get much further into Frank's other points. There's nothing about the costs of illegal immigration. There's nothing about its impact on the education system, congestion, taxes and crime. There's also no pointing the finger at Mexico.
They do show a patriotic outburst from Frank when the family takes him to a Mexican restaurant to celebrate the eldest girl graduating from high school. Frank gets frustrated and rants about how this is an invasion, not just an orderly entry of immigration as in the past. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that this girl worked hard to get good grades and to graduate, but the one sided view of the issue was just too much. Nothing was included on how much educating her has cost taxpayers of this country. Nothing on how much her parents have not paid in taxes. Nothing about the bad sides of illegal immigration at all was mentioned here.
They send Frank to Mexico to visit the father's brother who still lives there and the squalor the family lived in 12 years ago. Yes, it is truly sad. There is no doubt that Mexico is poverty-stricken. There is no mention at all as to why this is or what can be done about it. Most of the fingers are all pointed at how evil Americans are that want to deport these hard working people.
The show ends up with Frank getting soft on immigration and having feelings for these people. He says, “I’ve walked away with another perspective involving human beings”. There is no doubt that they are nice people, anyone would be able to see that, but that is an emotional take on the issue. Emotions are infamously not the best guidance on solutions to a problem. I think people should spend time watching this no matter where they stand on the issue. If I would have to rank this documentary on a scale from 1 to 10, I would give it an 8. Definitely see it.